Etiquette for your business holiday party invitations

You can’t throw an office holiday party without the proper invitations. Set the tone for the event by sending out invites that are both professional and fun by following these simple invitation etiquette tips:

Select the right stationery
Opt for holiday party invitations that are appropriate for the tone of the event. Keep in mind that the invites shouldn’t touch on a specific holiday – instead, they should remain general so they do not cause anyone to feel left out.

Be careful with wording
Much like typeface, the wording on your invitations can speak to the overall tone of the event. Here are examples of both formal and casual invitation wording:

Formal
“Please join us for an evening of merriment at our annual holiday event”
“You are cordially invited to attend the after-hours holiday cocktail party”

Casual
“Ho, ho, ho, come in from the snow to join us for some holiday fun”
“We hold you dear, so come for some cheer, dinner and fun”

Ensure the invites have all the necessary information
Your guests should never be left with questions after receiving your office holiday party invitations. Here’s what you should be sure to include:

• Who

“Our company [insert your business name] requests your presence”

• What

Office holiday party

• When (date and time)

Include the day of the week and the date, as well as the starting and ending times of the event so your guests know when to arrive and when to head home.

• Where

If the event isn’t at your office, you should include the address of the party location along with a phone number for the venue so guests can call for directions if they need to.

• Why

“To celebrate all of your hard work this year”

• Attire

Make it clear whether your guests should dress formally or casually. Terms like “black-tie attire” can be helpful.

• RSVP

Let your guests know how and when they should respond. Offer an email address or a phone number for them to call.